LAST INDONESIAN HOSTAGE RESCUED

Philippine security forces rescued the boy in Kalupag Island, says Sabah police chief

THE Phillipine security forces have rescued a 15year-old Abu Sayyaf captive, who was among five Indonesian fishermen abducted in Tambisan waters off Lahad Datu last year.

The victim, identified as Mohd Khairuldin, was rescued in Kalupag Island, Languyan, Tawi-Tawi at 6.30am, yesterday.

Khairuldin’s rescue came three days after three other hostages Arizal Kasta Miran, 30, Arsad Dahlan, 41, and Andi Riswanto Hayano, 26, were rescued.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali, when contacted yesterday, confirmed the rescue.

“Khairuldin is the last hostage to be rescued with regard to the kidnapping case in Tambisan waters,” he said.

According to an Indonesian Foreign Ministry statement, the trio were rescued in the waters of Tawi-Tawi when the boat used by their captors capsized in rough sea.

They were being transferred by the group from Indanan, Sulu, to another place.

Western Mindanao Command Commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr was reported as saying that all rescued hostages were safe.

It was also reported that the Philippine security forces were able to neutralise Abu Sayyaf sub-commander Apo Mike, who was responsible for a series of kidnap-for-ransom incidents in Sabah waters.

Apo Mike, whose real name was Majan Sahidjuan, was among 21 individuals wanted by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).

The sub-commander was shot dead in a firefight with the Philippine forces in Tawi-Tawi on Saturday.

In January 2020, an armed group kidnapped the five Indonesian fishermen who were working on a Malaysian fishing boat in Tambisan waters.

It was reported that one of the hostages, identified as La Baa, 32, was found dead on Sept 28 last year in Patikul, Sulu, Philippines.